Reclamation is hosting its third annual C.A.S.T (Catch A Special Thrill) for Kids event on Saturday, October 4, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Grange Grove Pavilion located at the California State Parks - Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, in Friant, Calif.

The event is a day of fishing enjoyment that teams up individual boaters and members of the Clovis, Fresno, and Kerman Bass Clubs with 55 children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South San Joaquin Valley, Children's Hospital Central California, Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services, and the San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation.

The day will begin with pre-registered children receiving fishing gear, a T-shirt, and hat that they may keep. While the children are on the lake learning about boating and fishing, their family, friends, care givers, and invited guests will be able to participate in a variety of educational on-shore activities sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, City of Fresno Science Education Unit, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Inc., the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, La Petite Academy, the California Department of Water Resources, and the California Department of Fish and Game. The Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission is providing on-site transportation for the event.

Guests will be treated to a visit by Smokey the Bear, Scruffy the Clown, the American Ambulance Star Rescue Team, the Fresno County SheriffÃ¢Â€Â™s Department D.A.R.E. vehicle, a K-9 Unit, and the Fresno County Sheriff's Dive Team. Lunch will be served and hosted by the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority and the Los Banos Future Farmers of America. The day will conclude with closing ceremonies and awards presented to the participating children.

The event is co-sponsored by Reclamation, the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, and 21 local agencies, organizations, and businesses, and has the support of more than 50 area contributors. Anyone interested in the on-shore activities may call Valerie Curley at Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office at 559-487-5255, or send e-mail to vcurley@mp.usbr.gov. Information about the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation can be found at www.castforkids.org

# # #

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.